While the dry conditions have seen some clubs transfer their race meeting to other venues, the Glen Innes Cup - which will be held on January 11 - will feature a six-race program, high fashion and a new champagne bar.

"In the face of a crippling drought the club has still managed to excel with its projects this past year," said Jockey Club president Mark Ritchie.

"The Gwydir Highway frontage has been cleared and re-fenced, the sand training track has been refurbished with a fresh layer of angular sand, the remembrance wall and garden has been upgraded and work has been done on the day yards and some of the stables.

"The Club is in the grip of the worst drought in living memory. Lack of irrigation water has seen the unprecedented occurrence of a number of other clubs in the region including Armidale and Tamworth unable to race, with their allocated race meetings being transferred to other venues.

"While Glen Innes has irrigation dam water available, myself and several of the committee have been working on bringing our irrigation system back on line in the lead-up to the 2020 Glen Innes Cup."

Mr Ritchie said even though the drought was causing extreme hardship in the local community, social events like the Glen Innes Cup were a great opportunity for people to get together and have an enjoyable day out.

"Like many around us, our community is hurting in a way it never has before," said Mr Ritchie.

"In tough times such as these, get-togethers such as our race day become very important focal points for continuity and community.

"As usual mine, and I'm sure, the Glen Innes community's appreciation goes to the members and committee of this club for the generous provision of their time and effort in keeping this club alive and we look forward to the club's future with great expectation and hope this drought ends soon."

Gates open at 10am and general admission for the 2020 Glen Innes Cup will cost $10.